Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-07-13
THE WATER QUESTION.
Criticism Upon Critics aud Necessity for
Improved Quality of Water.

Criticism Upon Critics aud Necessity for
| Improved Quality of Water.
EDS. RECORD UNION: AS the water ques
ton has been put forward again. would
like with your permission, to add a few
remarks as one who has paid some atten-
ton to this matter here and abroad in my
studies. 1t is my impression that both the
! Bee, as well as your correspondent =" ]. B
| R. of the 9Th inst, are to certain extent
| in the wrong, or want to be for some rea-
son. Science generally in all countries
wants the truth, and one cannot be So
called Silurian ia one branch and in an
| other a leader Men who desire progress
justly, must advance all along the line, and
this the Bee does not carry out when re-
ferring to water analyses from a chemi.
cal standpoint only. A chemical
analyses refers to the water when
the same is taken from the river, while
twenty-four hours subsequently the
water may have changed for various rea-
sons, too numerous to mention. There are
cities in Europe where quite number OF
analyses are made of the water in use, and
generally some change is manifested.
What the Bee does not want to under
stand is this: That for good drinking water
1t is necessary that the same be clear, color
less, and without odor and bad taste. This
is one of the requisites, besides four more,
to make good drinking water, which we
will ignore, and only bring the first into
play. Can any one convince the new
conner, intending to make this city his fu
ture home, that our water, as it appears to
him, is the most wholesome in California
or any other country, where all his lifetime
he has used clear water? There is the
rub.
But there is more. say emphatically our
water had taste, some time ago, and a
slight smell, and that too, even while taken
direct from the tanks. The men at the
basin, and that water caused the writer
gripings several times. AT present the
water appears to be better again
1t is said that the tanks are only cleaned
twice year. Reservoirs at the present age
are looked upon, what we know of them,
with some suspicion unless constant atten-
ton is paid to them. Remember, there is
no agitation and constant contact with air
as in a flowing stream. / do not know
how the tanks are used, but l find the
water in use with me much clearer than
the river shows it, therefore, take it for
granted that the tanks are used consider
ably. For general use l prefer this clear
water, but just as soon as it becomes neces-
sary to quench my thirst l agree to take
my water direct from the mains, which
carries all that we have INDUCED in so often
with it. At least less contact with foul
gases and organic life can be expected
than from that stored up to clear-how
long?
If this city is compelled to use the river
water IN the future, strong efforts ought TO
be made to keep the water from being con-
taminated. The State Board of Health was
advised February II, 1887, what the under
signed witnessed, and such actions must be
punished to the fullest extent of the law.
1t would, however, be strange that no
efforts be made in the future to procure
clearer water than we have at present, but
if carried out il will be well to be quite
positive that we have not only clear water,
but also that which shows superiority
otherwise, and | warn the people of Sacra-
mento that they will never have it if they
bring 1t from source of supply in bitches
(open canals, etc. or stored up in IN
watched reservoirs. l agree that chemi-
cally we have probably as fair water in USE
and even better, that many a larger CITY,
but this cannot remain thus if the popula-
ton increases, which makes it the dump
ing place of its refuse. Sooner or later we
must look to purer source of supply
direct from the fountain head. Microscopy
in the examination of water is playing a
far more important part at present than
the past, so that pure and clear water
even may carry that which may not be
wholesome to drink. Examine for in
stance, on page $50 Sanitary Era of June
l5 1887, illustrated, where sixty-one speci-
mems of organic life is found in the present
Croton water of New York. Is it any won
der that this city is making such herculean
efforts TO procure purer water than the
kind in use at present, and that. too, appa-
rently clear to normal vision?
Your correspondent J. 3. RS test for
water to stand all night in room, is no
test at all, unless he can vouch for the pure
atmosphere OF the room the water is placed
in. Double and treble distilled water in
foul atmosphere would absorb the gases
Just the same, and upon that theory smell
disagreeable likewise, simply because many
liquids absorb gases very rapidly. This is
really an excellent way to help clear a
room of noxious gases, if you have to sleep
in such room. Let the gentleman take
two pitchers of water-one placed in the
same room, the other out door, where pure
air can be vouched for, and then report
the result of both. The difference will
show the room if foul gases are present. l
doubt that the water will foul in a pure at
mosphere in one night.
One thing more in regard to the water
we drink is that, as long as the basin of
water exists known as China Slough, f" so
long We will take daily rations of it. If
water finds It's level, it is forced to pass into
the river from the slough above the suction
pipe, and then be pumped into the city
mains. 1t may be clear as the icicle, and
yet passed through the underground from
the slough. This alone is a very strong
reason to fill up this eye-sore Of the city /;
and it is hoped that the coming attempt
will prove a success in every respect. It is
bound 10 pay in more ways than one to
Sacramento, and the Central Pacific Rail
road Company also. Very respectfully,
JOHN EITEL